Skip to main content

Family Tree Surprise



Ancestral studies rarely enticed me, that is until now!  My granddaughter, Sookie, created a family tree for her classroom assignment.   Emails between our families flew back and forth this week as she gathered information to complete her homework.   That’s when we discovered a surprise.

Eight years ago, my daughter, Sookie’s mom, declared during her pregnancy that if she delivers a girl, her name will be Susanna and we’ll call her Sookie for fun.   We learned this week that my husband’s great grandmother’s name was Susanna, spelled like our Susanna’s with an “s”, the Hebrew version.  I wish I knew more about her!   Why such a strong urge on my daughter’s part for that particular name?

But that’s not all.

When my daughter expected her second baby, she declared:  “If it’s a boy, I really think we should name him Samuel.”

Now I Have the Chills
We learned this week that great grandmother Susanna married great grandfather, Samuel!  We remarked that these inclinations are too weird!  We never knew these people or their names!

Families…the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

We chose their names not knowing them.  But I glance at the family tree and reflect about the similarities that I do know of that passed down through generations.  Like any family, ours reveals weaknesses, strengths and quirks.  




We’re known for power naps on my dad’s side. 

We trace creativity in my mom’s family.

Both my parents and Tom's mom suffered migraines.

Females in my mom’s lineage experienced weak knee joints in their golden years.

We get humor from my mother and Tom’s dad and melancholy depth from my dad and his mom.



The list goes on and on.  Some things we proudly boast of in our families and some things make us want to crawl under the covers in embarrassment.  


I found a verse in the Bible during my study today that I long to see in generational lines to follow.  I pray that when we’re thought of, it can be said of us that we are people of integrity.  

The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7



What about you?  Any surprises in your family tree?

Comments

  1. Samuel, too? Chills!
    I've wondered where the "Sookie" came from. That's an adorable nickname!

    Although my mother and father were diligent in documenting (their) ancestors names and milestones, it's unfortunate no whims or whimsies were noted. In fact, there was a time growing up when I felt so alienated from my parents, I wondered if I wasn't adopted. What with blogger, journals - even Facebook - I hope no other child will find it necessary to wonder where he or she belongs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the nickname Sookie. Fascinating and fun post, thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That would give me the chills too with the Samuel connection. Our family tree breaks up a bit in that both of our kids are adopted. Its funny though because on more than one occasion people (who didn't know that son was adopted) said "he looks just like his grandfather" or "he looks just like his dad". We have to chuckle at that. We don't see it, but maybe others do??

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoyed your blog so much!! Yes, we inherit many physical traits through the genes, and research shows that some personality traits are inherited, too. To read something really interesting, Google in "Research on transmission of memory through the DNA". It's all university research based, not some weird stuff. Thanks, again!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like the name Sookie - that's a sweet name. To name a new- born baby after a family member was considered once a great honor .
    One cannot escape Genetics, that's for sure. However, its blows can be delayed or softened if the other parameters , that is, adequate nutrition and low stress, are good. That's a comforting thought.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such an interesting journey your granddaughter's school assignment took your whole family on! Love your tie in with scripture--it is a great goal for all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have a friend who has investigated her family tree extensively and made books for her children based on what she found. I've delved into it a bit, mostly on my mother's end. I have diaries of my great great Aunt Pearl and several heirlooms of hers. I love to see what lineage I came from and would have loved to sit with them and visit. What a wonderful find to see Susanna and Samuel back in your family tree and now you have two to carry on that name!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Mary! Wow, that's just amazing. I would have gotten chills too! (I wondered where Sookie came from too.) I don't think I've seen anything that surprising in my family tree, maybe I have a boring family?

    I remember having the kids talk to my parents about their family trees for school. Thank goodness they were available, because I wouldn't have been able to help. I know my dad's family came over from Ireland because of the potato famine, but so many Irish came over then, it's not surprising.
    Have a great Monday!
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, I have just had the Holy bumps reading this about the kids names! WOW! I've always wanted to do a family tree that branched back many years ago and just never have. My husband's side of the family has a family tree of information and each year at the Conner reunion it is placed out for all that want to browse through it. It is amazing what we could learn about ourselves through family isn't it Mary? Some things I am not so sure I want to know. LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! That is SO neat! We recently found out that my husband, so, of course, our son, Zach, are descendants of Zachary Taylor! Made me wonder if that is why my husband was so certain and intent upon naming our son, Zach. My brother is really into genealogy, and he has unearthed some other really neat facts, too. Funny how life works, isn't it? Thanks for sharing this neat story with us!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is so interesting! We have traced our geneology to the Netherlands on both my side and Bob's. No fun surprises though!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's crazy what I'll find in my family tree if I look closer. :D
    But that's alright. I've learned Jesus' genealogy is crazier and look at where He is. He is chosen, He and the Father are one.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for this wonderful post, Mary. I love it that your daughter had a desire to name both of her children by names that you later found out were in the family tree. The thing that my husband and I both marvel at is how certain traits are in us that we didn't realize the significance of where they came from until the last several years. An example would be that he has always loved foods that we later learned were quite Scottish and/or Irish. With a last name like McBride you see where I am going with this. I love cabbage...any way you fix it. I've a lot of German blood in my heritage. We both love Celtic instrumental music. So, my question is...is it in our genes? Thank you again, my friend, for sharing this post! xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's like family is in the blood, in our DNA even if we don't know them. I've heard great stories about how siblings meet each other by chance and instantly know their brother or sister even though they have never met or known about each other.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yeah, beyond bizarre. Some surprises are good!

    I'm with you on the desire for what it is we're remembered for. May it be said of us that we sought our Father first in all things. Bringing Him honor takes care of our legacies.

    My mom got a blood line test about six months ago. She found out that she's a small part Italian... which she swore she didn't have a trace of her whole life... should've seen that one coming...

    ReplyDelete
  16. O, how touching. I can scroll back in my family tree to the 15th century. It's very interesting. They were people like you and me. With their own feelings, their own struggles ... I love both names: Susanna and Samuel.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Because He Lives, I Can Move

I’m currently in one of those places where you lay out all the options and then you make the best decision. It seems, however, like none of the choices are fair or attractive. I know God will help me in my situation because I desire His guidance. I’m clinging to His Word which promises that ALL things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28. I heard a great teaching this week about seeking God’s will and all the freedom that surrender brings. We can know that God is bringing about a victory if we trust Him with each and every decision. The speaker illustrated his point with a famous painting. The painting depicts a look of despair on the chess player’s face. He’s playing Satan and his soul is at stake. It looks like Satan is winning. Checkmate! When Paul Morphy saw this painting back in the 1800’s, he set up a chess board and aligned the pieces to reflect the painting. Being a world champion, he studied the board. His conclusi

Humor for the Bride and Groom

A young couple decided to wed.  As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive.  Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice.   "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage."  His father replied, "Don't you love this girl?"   "Oh yes, very much," he said," but you see, I have very smelly feet, and I'm afraid that my fiancé will be put off by them."  "No problem," said dad, "all you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible, and always wear socks, even to bed."   Well, to him this seemed a workable solution. The bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to take her problem up with her mom."  Mom," she said, "When I wake up in the morning my breath is truly awful."  "Honey," her mother consoled, "everyone has

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street?”   I replied that I’ve order coffee once in that place with a turke